MacqLit
the Macquarie Literacy Program for small group instruction
MacqLit is an explicit and systematic reading intervention program for small groups of older low-progress readers. It provides teachers with a comprehensive sequence of lessons that includes all the key components necessary for effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.
Who is it for?
- Ideal for students who fall in the bottom 25% of a standardised reading test or curriculum-based measure, and who have particular difficulties in the area of word recognition.
- Specifically aimed at struggling readers in Year 3 through to high school.
Delivery
- Small group program only for use in schools.
- Delivered by teachers, learning support teachers, special educators, and well-trained and well-supported teacher aides.
- Each lesson is designed to be completed in one hour, and for best results should be delivered at least four times a week.
- Students also require opportunities to practice their skills by reading one-on-one with a tutor for 20 minutes, preferably daily.
Key benefits
- A systematic and explicit reading intervention program for older low-progress readers.
- Small group program only for use in accredited primary and secondary schools.
- Comprehensive sequence of lessons including all the components necessary for effective reading instruction.
- Allows students to generalise component skills through connected text reading.
- Ideal for students who fall in the bottom 25% of a standardised reading test or curriculum-based measure, and who have particular difficulties in the area of word recognition.
- Specifically aimed at struggling readers in Year 3 through to high school.
- Comprises a comprehensive Program Kit and two-day Professional Development (PD) Workshop.
In my experience with MacqLit, I’ve noticed it builds confidence, increases reading fluency, and strengthens spelling skills. I love that it can offer a group session to suit the students’ individual needs. It’s a highly effective program used in a short time daily to build reading skills. It’s amazing one program can build so much self-esteem, confidence and growth over a year.
Program content
Older low-progress readers need to develop rapid, automatic and efficient word recognition strategies. That means the primary focus of MacqLit is on phonics, or word identification, supported by connected text reading to ensure skills are generalised to authentic reading experiences.
The teaching of phonic skills is addressed through 122 carefully scripted lessons, divided into nine parts, delivered to small groups (ideally four students, but with provision for flexibility). The carefully constructed sequence of lessons teaches essential skills such as:
- Letter-sound correspondences presented in an easy to hard sequence,
- Strategies for decoding multi-syllable words,
- Prefixes and suffixes, and
- Generalising component skills through connected text reading.
In addition, students should be given extensive opportunities to practise their skills by reading one-on-one with a tutor for 20 minutes, preferably daily, through MultiLit’s well-established and highly successful Reinforced Reading.
Student progress is monitored through regular cumulative reviews built into the program.
Please note: MacqLit and the associated PD workshop are available only to schools.
What's in the Kit?
The MacqLit Kit includes the following components:
- Teacher Manual
- Nine Handbooks, including lesson scripts
- A set of Sounds and Words books for use by students (5 copies of each)
- A pack of student Activity Books (5 copies)
- A sample teacher copy of the student Activity Book
- Reinforced Reading booklet and video (in Members’ Area)
- Testing and Lessons Record Book, for recording and monitoring group progress
- Flashcards, Sound Prompt Cards, Sight Words Cards
- Bonus: WARP Kit included with first MacqLit Kit purchased
MacqLit Professional Development Workshop
The two-day MacqLit Professional Development workshop takes a contemporary balanced approach towards reading instruction. This includes an overview of the research base that underpins MacqLit, linking the program to the five key elements of teaching reading.
As a result, the workshop covers how to teach phonics explicitly and systematically, building vocabulary and developing comprehension strategies.
Training in MacqLit program delivery is compulsory prior to implementation of the program to ensure quality of delivery.
What the workshop covers
- Explanation of MultiLit’s approach to reading instruction.
- Identifying students who need the program and placing them into groups.
- Overview of the MacqLit kit, consumables and downloadable resources.
- In-depth look at the various activities associated with MacqLit and hands-on practice at delivering them.
- Progress monitoring and reporting.
- Reinforced Reading – book selection and Pause, Prompt, Praise strategies.
- Training in using the Wheldall Assessment of Reading Passages (WARP).
- Behaviour management using Positive Teaching.
- Implementing MacqLit in your school.
Who should attend?
- Teachers, learning support teachers, special educators, and well-trained and well-supported teacher aides, who are working with students from Year 3 onwards including secondary schools and senior colleges.
The MacqLit Kit and MacqLit PD are available only to accredited schools.
Accreditation
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Completing MacqLit Professional Development Workshop will contribute 9 hours 30 minutes of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and assessment of NSW Curriculum addressing standard descriptors 1.2.2, 2.2.2, 2.5.2 & 5.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Teacher Quality Institute (TQI), ACT
This program has been accredited by TQI in 2025. Attendance provides 10 PD hours for ACT teachers.
Institute of Special Educators
This program is endorsed by the Institute of Special Educators (InSpEd).
Please note: P-MAC 001 (MacqLit Kit Only) is available only if you have previously purchased P-MAC 1 (MacqLit PD + Kit) or W-MAC 001 (MacqLit PD Only). The use of MultiLit publications and attendance at professional development workshops is for personal education use in schools with State/Territory accreditation (‘Accredited Schools’). Other commercial use, hiring or lending, or other use as part of any commercial, not-for-profit, or fee-paying program of instruction or tuition not carried out within an Accredited School is strictly prohibited.